Banyang Mbo Conservation Reserve

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Banyang-Mbo Nature Reserve
Banyang Mbo Nature Reserve (Cameroon)
Paris plan pointer b jms.svg
Coordinates: 5 ° 25 ′ 0 ″  N , 9 ° 35 ′ 0 ″  E
Location: Sud-Ouest , Cameroon
Next city: Nguti and Bangem
Surface: 650 km²
Founding: March 12, 1996
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The Banyang-Mbo Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in the region Sud-Ouest in Cameroon . The area was protected by the government in 1996 to protect eleven endangered species.

geography

The reserve is part of the Congo Basin near the Korup National Park . The area extends over an estimated area of ​​650 km², which extends over the latitudes 5 ° 8 'to 5 ° 34' N and longitudes 9 ° 30 to 9 ° 47 'E.

history

Banyang-Mbo was designated as a forest reserve in 1932. It was not until March 12, 1996 that the area was finally declared Cameroon's first nature reserve. Until then, the reserve was only protected from commercial logging. From 1988 to 1994 the area was part of the Korup Project (Project Code: 012-502-013) under the auspices of the Department For International Development ( DFID ) West and North Africa Department ( WNAD ) in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society ( WCS ) managed. Finally in 1994 the Wildlife Conservation Society took over sole management with the aim of preserving its unique biodiversity . At the same time, municipal environmental protection should be implemented, which enables the resident residents to secure their livelihood without endangering the sustainable use of the area.

flora

Limba tree
Sycamore fig

The flora is characterized by typical tropical lowland rainforest at altitudes between 120 and 1760 meters. In a census from 2002, the WCS recorded at least 8,460 plant species. The upper stratification layer, the so-called tree layer, is characterized by African padouk ( Pterocarpus soyauxii ), limba trees ( Terminalia superba ), bush mango ( Irvingia gabonensis ), framire ( Terminalia ivorensis ) and poga deosa . In the middle layer one finds Treculia obvoidea from the family of the mulberry family , Diogoa zenkeri from the family of the Erythropalaceae , Rauvolfia macrophylla from the family of the dog-poison family , Lophira alata from the family of the bone- leaf family and Stachyothyrsus stapfiana from the family of the legume family . In the lower layer you can find Raphia hookeri , Cararium schweinfurthii , Santiria trimera , Berlinia bracteosa , Afzelia bipindensis , Gacrinia mannii and Gacrinia kola .

fauna

In the 2002 WCS survey, 250 mammals, including 18 primates, were discovered in the reserve. In addition, 140 different reptiles and 190 different amphibians were counted.

Mammals

Black monkey
Big cane rat
Large Spotted Genet

Among the primates, which were found during the survey belonging crown monkey ( Cercopithecus pogonias ), the Olive Baboon ( Papio anubis ), the mona monkey ( Cercopithecus mona ), the greater spot-nosed monkey ( Cercopithecus nictitans ), the red-eared guenon ( Cercopithecus erythrotis ), the drill ( mandrillus leucophaeus ), the Western beard guenon ( Cercopithecus preussi ), the Tantalus monkey ( Chlorocebus tantalus ), the Potto ( Perodicticus potto ), the Gray-cheeked mangabey ( Lophocebus albigena ), the Common Chimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes ), the Allen-Galago ( Galago alleni ) and the Demidoff-Galago ( Galago demidoff ).

Other mammals found are:

Avifauna

Blackhelm Hornbill
Giant turaco
Arboreal Duck
African gray parrot
Steel spot pigeon

According to BirdLife International, the Banyang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the Important Birds Areas . In a 2000 BirdLife survey, 322 species of birds were recorded in the area. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources , the white-throated rhinestones occurring in the area are considered endangered (Endangered), the Buntkopf rockhoppers as endangered (Vulnerable) and the African gray parrots , the golden helmets hornbills, the monochrome bulbs, the white-tailed warblers, the Crossley thrushes, the gray breasted nectar birds as low endangered (Near Threatened). The following is a list of birds taken from the 2000 survey:

Reptiles and amphibians

In addition to mammals and birds, the area includes Nile monitors ( Varanus niloticus ), Northern rock pythons ( Python sebae ), Nile crocodiles ( Crocodylus niloticus ), Gabonese vipers ( Bitis gabonica ) and Jameson's mambas ( Dendroaspis jamesoni ).

Population and problems

Slash and burn

The four largest ethnic groups include the Banyang , Mbo , Bakossi and Bassosi tribes , who live in 55 villages around the Banyang-Mbo Conservation Reserve. They claim land in the reserve or want to use it for hunting and fishing. The Banyang operate as farmers, hunters and gatherers. The Mbo, however, are mainly hunters and gatherers. Bakossi and Bassosi are involved in the commercial cultivation of coffee and cocoa. Although a stricter law was passed on January 20, 1994 under number 24/01 for the protection of forests, wild animals and fish, this stands in stark contrast to the traditional way of life of these groups. Illegal hunting, including protected animals, is a big problem. The illegal ivory trade in particular threatens the elephant population in the region. In addition to ivory, the need for bush meat endangers some species as such meat also fetches higher prices in the markets. Rifles, wire slings and pointed objects are used for hunting, which weaken the elephant and leave a trail of blood, making it easy for the hunter to follow the injured animal. People see hunting as a natural right that they have always pursued. The hunted prey is often an important part of traditional rites . In addition, there is a further area of ​​tension when clearing forest areas by fire in order to open up new cultivation areas.

literature

  • Innocent Tchigio: Opportunities for Community-Based Wildlife Management: Case Study from the Korup Region, Cameroon . Cuvillier, 2007. ISBN 978-3-86727-239-1 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ World Database on Protected Areas - Banyang-Mbo-Naturschutzreservat (English)
  2. ↑ Dissertation Samuel A. Abugiche Brandenburg University of Technology Impact of Hunting and Bushmeat Trade on Biodiversity Loss in Cameroon: A Case Study of the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary (English; PDF; 1.9 MB)
  3. ↑ Wildlife Conservation Society The Non-Timber forest products status in the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary: A survey of household use, options for adding value and economic viability  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically defective marked. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English)@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / cameroun-foret.com  
  4. ↑ Opportunities for Community-Based Wildlife Management: Case Study from the Korup Region, Cameroon 3.3.5 Banyang-Mbo wildlife sanctury (English)
  5. ↑ BirdLife International IBA Factsheet CM017 Banyang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary (English)
  6. ↑ The open earth project How poachers kill elephants in Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary, Cameroon (English)